New App Store rule streamlines app account deletion

Apple on Wednesday informed developers that it will soon begin to enforce a new App Store rule that requires titles with account creation tools to also offer in-app deletion options.

Detailed in an update to Apple's developer website, App Store Guideline 5.1.1 mandates that apps with account creation capabilities must also provide users an option to delete said account within the app.

"If your app doesn't include significant account-based features, let people use it without a login. If your app supports account creation, you must also offer account deletion within the app," the guideline reads.

The new rule should cut down on burdensome account deletion features that in some cases are designed to retain user information. Certain apps require account holders to fill out a request form on an external website or contact a customer service representative.

Apple urges developers to review pertinent laws that might require preservation of certain types of data. As usual, the company tells app makers to clearly explain what kind of information apps collect, how they collect it, how it is used and how it is stored. Other data-related practices are explained in the App Store guideline.

The iPhone maker introduced Guideline 5.1.1 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June and the rule is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 31, 2022.

Along with the account deletion policy, Apple in a separate developer update on Wednesday explained that the App Store's new "report a problem" button is designed to combat fraud. Introduced on Monday, the option allows iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey users to report issues with downloaded apps. The feature is available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the U.S., and will roll out to more regions soon.

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5 Comments

ihatescreennames

said about 2 years ago

Does Facebook allow in-app account creation? I’ve heard deleting an account with them is not the easiest. Something like this had long been needed.

Mac512user

said about 2 years ago

This is an awesome upgrade for the App Store! Anyone ever try to delete your Facebook account?? I really don’t think it can be done… this is prolly the real reason why this rule was added… ridic to have to jump through hoops to delete an account!

the1maximus

said about 2 years ago

Besides Account Deletion, all features of a website should be available to a user through a respective app.

I have many times found that I can only access certain settings by going to a company’s website from a computer. What if I didn’t have a laptop/desktop, and only had a smart phone. I even found that some sites even restrict devices to only a mobile view even if you request a desktop version, the mobile view would also also be restricted from the same features as the app.

I guess what I’m saying is that making it mandatory to allow for a simple path for account deletion is a step in the right direction, but true be told, companies need to understand that today’s world is mobile, and they need to give full access to all features without prejudice of app, web, or device.

ihatescreennames

said about 2 years ago

the1maximus said:

Besides Account Deletion, all features of a website should be available to a user through a respective app.

I have many times found that I can only access certain settings by going to a company’s website from a computer.

I totally agree.

Here's a fun story. My friend and his wife planned to visit us over the summer. They booked a flight on JetBlue in January for the trip in August. A few days before the flight his wife said it was no longer showing up in her flight tracking app. He opened the JB app, saw it was still showing on time and figured her app was glitchy. He also cited that he had just days before received an email from JetBlue saying "how to prepare for your upcoming trip!" or something to that effect. A day or two later she nagged at him about it again, saying she felt it was odd. He checked the JB app again, on time. To appease her he went to the JB website where he could not find his flight information. Uh-oh.

He called JetBlue and was informed the flight had been cancelled in March. Not just his flight, they no longer provided service between the two airports. He was unhappy to hear that, now that he was "forced" into purchasing tickets at the last minute via United.

During the course of his multiple calls he was told that any emails he had gotten from JetBlue, including the one in June that said there "may have" been a change to his flight and that his seat was changed, were all automated emails and had nothing to do with his particular flight. They could not explain why he was never notified of the cancellation and why he didn't get a refund months earlier. Two of the CS reps told him that the app is for informational purposes only, that it shouldn't be used for anything like checking flight status and that the only official place to look is the website. They weren't really sure what to do when he asked them if it's for informational purposes only why he was able to book the flight through the app and, BTW, isn't flight status informational?

So, yeah, I agree, an app should give just the same access as its respective website.

mattinoz

said about 2 years ago

ihatescreennames said:

Does Facebook allow in-app account creation? I’ve heard deleting an account with them is not the easiest. Something like this had long been needed.

There is one way that gets your account shreaded quickly and completely just need to make sure any one who'd be higher offended by naked male porn de-friends you before the post.

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